FEAR IN THE WORKPLACE.
As I continue writing about my struggle with fear and anxiety, I’d like to speak about fear and intimidation in the workplace as well.
Are you the type of person that is intimidated by your manager or your boss or the person you work for?
When you walk past them in the office or the building of your workplace you either avoid eye contact or you say a shy and barely audible ‘hello’?
Or do you always try and impress him or her with ideas and want to be seen by them?
I am.
At least, I am trying not to be.
Why do we feel intimidated by the people we work for?
Because of their titles? Or is it because we are afraid that they might do something that would jeopardize our jobs?
I work in a broadcast house and what got me writing this post was how I always feel nervous or shy or intimidated and even small when I just see, even from a distance, the people I know are in managerial positions.
And I asked myself, why do I feel that way?
They hired me. A company’s biggest asset is the people that work for them.
Not so?
My subconscious was sly and said, “Well, they hold the key to your career”
Uhm, no. They actually don’t.
The people you work for should not scare you. You should not be nervous or intimidated or afraid around them. If that is the case, then something is definitely wrong.
If you are experiencing bullying in the workplace, please address it and seek help.
I’m not saying managers and bosses should be friends with their employees but the relationship between employees and employers shouldn’t be uncomfortable. There should be an open line of communication between employer and employee and that line of communication shouldn’t be hindered by feelings of intimidation or fear.
I shouldn’t be afraid to go to my manager and ask him or her something. Or be afraid to discuss where your career is going in the company.
Your job and your career is your responsibility. If you have an inquiry or question about your position or your salary or you are curious about any changes within the company you work for, don’t be afraid to ask.
I say this to you as much as I am saying it to myself. Sometimes the feelings of fear or intimidation that you feel could all be in your mind and once you actually have a conversation with your boss or manager, you realise you were afraid for no reason.
Start small if you don’t feel brave enough to walk to their office and speak face-to-face.
Be polite but direct in your communication and don’t take everything at face value.
Your job and the company you work for is the place where you spend most of your time so you should have a level of transparency about what affects you directly.
It’s important that you show people that you are confident and able to speak up and carry a sense of self-worth that you attach to your position in the company.
That way they will also take you more seriously.
If you come forth as shy and meek and as a “yes man”, people will take advantage of that and use it against you.
Do not be afraid or intimidated by the people who you work for, sure respect them and treat them as their position allows but always make it clear that respect goes two ways.
Another thing I also really get annoyed at is when managers or people in power speak to you in a way that makes you feel small, when they start giving you pet names or nicknames or start addressing you in a manner that screams “I actually don’t take you that seriously but you’re cute so I’m keeping you around”
I have experienced this to a degree and because of my personality, I have let it slide many times but I think that is another aspect that we need to change, do not get too comfortable with your managers or bosses that they start treating you like a child.
But then this all comes back to you; you need to take yourself seriously in your job and especially if it’s in the industry where you want to be or the career where you want to be.
-Kimberly Flanagan
